Riding With Style: The Best Motorcycle Jackets For A Smooth Ride
Ah, the beauty of the motorcycle jacket. There’s no article of clothing we appreciate more over here at Motorcycle Goods. Not only are motorcycle jackets stylish, they’re an underrated motorcycle must-have. A good motorcycle jacket can ensure maximum comfort, while keeping you as safe as possible on the road. A motorcycle jacket is a big investment (at least over here it is), so how do you know you’re buying the perfect one? To simplify your search, we’ve compiled a list of our favourite motorcycle jackets.
Before we get started, check out our blog on the 5 types of motorcycle jackets. Knowing what type of motorcycle jacket you’re looking for can help narrow down your search.
Alpinestars GP Plus R v3 Leather Jacket
Price: $600 to $800 CAD
The Alpinestars GP Plus R v3 is known for its premium construction, CE-certified armor, and advanced airflow ventilation. This jacket brings another level of protection and comfort for sport and street riders. The majority of its padding is in the shoulders and elbows. It does a stellar job of keeping you cool as a popsicle on hot days. An especially loved feature on our end is the inner-waterproof wallet pocket, though we usually use it to protect our cellphone (for when the lady is calling). Priced at $699.95 CAD on the Alpinestars website, it’s in the middle price range for most higher quality motorcycle jackets.
Dainese D-Air Smart Jacket
Price: $1,300 to $2,000 CAD
Now, this jacket is pretty hardcore. Think of it as the Elon Musk of motorcycle jackets. If this is your first time hearing about Dainese, the brand is most known for its D-Air airbag technology. This intuitive airbag technology makes it a top choice for all-around rider safety. True to its name, it acts as an airbag in the event of a crash, using a complex sensor system to trigger near the chest. The chest is not often a point of protection for most jackets, so this one stands out from the crowd. The sensors analyze data in real-time to detect specific conditions indicative of a crash. Some of these conditions could be sudden deceleration, loss of control, or impact with an object.
Keep in mind that this jacket is definitely on the pricier side. Costing between $1,300 to $2,000 CAD, it’s a great investment if you’re a frequent rider looking for the safest option.
Viking Cycle Ironside Textile Mesh Motorcycle Jacket
Price: $80 to $150 CAD
On the complete other side of the spectrum, there’s the Viking Cycle Ironside Textile Mesh Motorcycle Jacket. Bang for your buck is the highlight with this one. This jacket offers textile mesh for airflow, and CE-approved armor at the elbows, shoulders, and spine. Added bonus: It comes with adjustable features that you can customize for that perfect fit. For its price, this jacket has an exceptional level of protection. If you’re looking for the best deal, this is the jacket for you.
Icon Overlord SB2 Prime Jacket
Price: $300 to $450 CAD
This jacket features a durable textile chassis for abrasion resistance and durability in various riding conditions. The jacket is perfect for aggressive sport riders. You’ll find built-in reinforced impact zones in the shoulders, elbows, and back. You can really feel the durability of this jacket, without it feeling too bulky. With a decent selection of design and color options, this jacket has style, safety, and comfort covered. Being on the cheaper end of high quality jackets, it gets the job done and looks good doing it.
Klim Carlsbad Jacket
Price: $900 to $1,050 CAD
Built for adventure riders tackling extreme conditions, this jacket offers premium weatherproofing. Rain or dry, you can trust this jacket to keep you dry and comfortable. The jacket comes equipped with 500D Karbonite Ripstop fabric and D3O CE-certified armor in the elbows, shoulders, and back. Like Viking Cycle, there’s adjustable features here, but with added perks to make up for the higher price. One perk is that this jacket is a storage beast, with water-proof and hand-warming pockets all throughout the jacket. It’s an efficient choice for riders who don’t already have storage add-ons for their vehicle, with versatility that makes it well suited for any frequent rider.
Joe Rocket Atomic 5.0 Jacket
Price: $225 to $300 CAD
Known for its affordability and versatility, this jacket provides riders with a combination of waterproofing, ventilation, and CE-rated armor. It’s most suitable for various riding styles and conditions. Entry level riders can feel snug as a bug with the jacket’s user-friendly features, such as adjustable cuffs and ventilation zippers. You may notice that the jacket has some weather-proof features as well. That being said, it’s best suited for fair weather riders or those who don’t regularly encounter harsh weather. If you’re a rider who is still exploring preferences and don’t want to shell out for expensive gear right away, this is the jacket for you.
What a star-studded list! If you’re a soon-to-be rider, new rider, or just looking to hear from a fellow motorcycle fanatic, we have various blogs that cover the “A to Zs” of motorcycle riding. Anything you can think of, bet that you’ll be covered. Take a look at our blog on motorcycle helmet types next.
